CompactRIO systems provide high-performance processing capabilities, sensor-specific conditioned I/O, and a closely integrated software toolchain that make them ideal for Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), monitoring, and control applications.

What Is CompactRIO?

In a CompactRIO system, a controller with a processor and user-programmable FPGA is populated with one or more conditioned I/O modules from NI or third-party vendors. These modules provide direct sensor connectivity and specialty functions. CompactRIO is available in both a rugged industrial form factor and board-level design.

CompactRIO COMPONENTS

Explore the NI products that you can use to create a new system or use our online advisor to configure a custom CompactRIO system.

Includes a portfolio of highly interoperable software products to meet your needs from interactive exploration to custom engineering design.

Key Features of CompactRIO

Faster Development With a Single, Intuitive Software Toolchain

Overcome the traditional challenges of programming heterogeneous architectures with NI Linux Real-Time, the LabVIEW FPGA Module, and the NI-DAQmx driver. With this combination, you can develop your system faster by programming both the processor and user-programmable FPGA with a single, intuitive software toolchain. Focus on solving problems, not low-level programming tasks, with integrated user-friendly software that reduces risk, enhances productivity, and eliminates the need to create and maintain I/O drivers, OSs, and other middleware.

Accurate, Precisely Timed Data You Can Trust

The superior analog design quality of NI measurement products and proprietary technology, such as the STC3 timing chip and FPGA drivers, delivers the accuracy you need to trust your data. CompactRIO provides a modular, signal-conditioned architecture that gives you direct sensor connectivity, no matter your application requirements. Some CompactRIO Controllers also support Time Sensitive Networking (TSN), an update to standard Ethernet. With TSN, you can simplify your system setup by precisely synchronizing devices over the network. TSN also enables traffic scheduling on the network for the deterministic, low-latency transfer of time-sensitive data.

Form Factors to Meet a Variety of Needs

CompactRIO is provided in packaged and board-level form factors to meet the needs of your application from prototyping to large-scale deployment. CompactRIO Controllers are built according to stringent design practices and undergo extensive testing and validation to ensure reliable operation in harsh industrial environments.

Open and Secure Platform

Harness the openness of the NI Linux Real-Time OS through thousands of open-source applications, IP, and examples, while collaborating with an active community of users and developers. Also, boost security and reliability with native support for Security-Enhanced Linux, which delivers mandatory access control through custom policy creation.

Featured Content

Equipping your “things” with connected and synchronized measurement and control technologies unlocks insights that can increase uptime, boost performance, and drive innovation all while reducing operational costs.

In this case study from IHS Markit, learn how Duke Energy deployed 30,000 sensors using more than 2,000 CompactRIO systems to improve reliability with automated asset monitoring and lower operating costs.